What is the relationship between frequency and period?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between frequency and period, specifically exploring the formula f = 1/T. Participants seek clarification on the meaning of this relationship and provide various examples to illustrate their points.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the meaning of the formula f = 1/T and requests an explanation of the relationship between frequency and period.
  • Another participant references a Wikipedia article to illustrate the concept, providing an example of a newborn's heart rate to explain frequency and period.
  • A participant notes that using different units can obscure the relationship, explaining how a frequency of 120 beats per minute corresponds to a period of 1/2 second per beat.
  • One participant critiques the example from Wikipedia, suggesting that it is a simple mathematical relationship and comparing it to the equation ax = b.
  • Another participant states that frequency is inversely proportional to the time taken to complete one oscillation, with a proportionality constant of 1.
  • A participant defines frequency as the number of cycles per second and period as the number of seconds per cycle, providing a clear explanation.
  • One participant expresses appreciation for the clarity of the previous explanation, suggesting the contributor has experience in explaining the topic.
  • A participant provides a series of examples using walking around a block to illustrate how different periods correspond to different frequencies.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the mathematical relationship between frequency and period, but there are differing opinions on the effectiveness of examples used to illustrate the concept. Some participants find the examples helpful, while others critique them.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express confusion regarding the use of different units in examples, which may affect understanding. The discussion includes varying levels of mathematical detail and assumptions about prior knowledge.

threy
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f = 1/T?? What does it mean?

What does this formula means:

f = 1/T

I don't get this. Please explain the relationship between frequency and period and the formula above thanks :)
 
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Using different units in that example obscures the relationship a bit. A frequency of 120 beats per minute corresponds to a period of 1/120 of a minute per beat. Continuing, 1/120 of a minute = 1/2 second.

Or to match the original formula better: a period of 1/2 second per beat corresponds to a frequency of 1/(1/2) beats per second = 2 beats per second. Continuing, 2 beats per second = 120 beats per minute.
 
agree with jtbell, bad example from wiki. It's simple math, threy. If you tnink about it the same way you think of ax=b there is no confusion. The trick is that T is time for 1 oscilation, so ax=b becomes ax=1.
 
It simply means frequency is inversely proportional to time taken to complete one oscillation
and proportionality constant is 1
 
The frequency f is the number of cycles per second. The period T is the number of seconds per cycle.

Chet
 
Chestermiller said:
The frequency f is the number of cycles per second. The period T is the number of seconds per cycle.

Chet

Beautifully clear and concise explanation that says it all.

You've done this before, haven't you :smile:
 
If you can walk around the block in 1/2 hour, (30 minutes) then you can do it 2 times in one hour.
If you can walk around the block in 1/3 hour (20 minutes) then you can do it 3 times in one hour.
If you can walk around the block in 1/4 hour (15 minutes) then you can do it 4 times in one hour.
If you can walk around the block in 1/10 hour (6 minutes) then you can do it 10 times in one hour.
 

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